Portable power machine



Nov. 2, 1937 A. w. MALL 2,097,729

PORTABLE POWER MACHINE Filed Jan. 9, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 2, 1937. w, L 2,097,729

PQRTABLE POWER MACHINE Filed Jan. 9, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OF'FICE PORTABLE POWER MACHINE Arthur W. Hall, Chi ago, Ill. Application January 9, 1935, Serial No. 1,077

'1 Claims.

10 starter includes a fly wheel which is connected" through a complicated and delicate system of gears to a drive shaft adapted to be manually or automatically moved into driving engagement with the'motor crank shaft so as to crank the 15 motor. In order for the starter to perform its function, it is necessary to energize it or to rotate its fly wheel at a high velocity. To accomplish this, manual or power driven means, both of which possess certain disadvantages, are employed. The

20 manual means is of course a hand crank whlle the power driven means commercially used at the present is an electric motor.

The disadvantages of hand cranking resides in the fact that in cold weather, due to the harden:

25 ing of the grease and the thickening of the oil in the starter, it is impossible to manually turn these devices up to the necessary speed. Even in warm weather it requires a very strong man to cause their actuation.

30 Where an electric starter is used it is either installed in the airplane and driven by a storage battery, which latter is quickly run down or discharged, or the electric motor energizing device is mounted on a portable gasoline motor generator 5 set and is so constructed that its drive shaft may be detachably connected to means on the inertia starter for causing rotation of the fly wheel. No matter what type of electric motor is used nor no matter how the motor is wound, the

40 very serious disadvantage is always present in that the starting torque and speed of the motor is so high as to causeconsiderable impact shock as shockontheinertia starterisstillpresent. Boreover, where the last mentioned means are employed with a hand electric starter working from a motor generator set, the starter is formed into a cumbersome and unwieldly device which is difficult to operate. 5 Obviously motor generator sets, which are usually mounted on a light truck or auto, possess the disadvantage of duplication of parts which requires a separate gasoline motor to run a generator which in turn runs the electric motor used to energize the starter.

It is hence the major object of my invention'to provide a power machine for driving a rotatable shaft, which machine lacks the disadvantages inherent in devices heretofore used by the prior art.

An equally important object of my invention is to provide a power machine which is designed, though not necessarily so, to energize an inertia starter, means being associated with the same i for driving a stub shaft capableoi connecting to the starter so that said shaft on its initial rotation or starting will develop substantially zero torque, this torque being gradually and constantly raised as the power source is speeded up.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a power machine which is readily movable from one point to another and is so constructed that it may be knocked down and dismantled in order that it may be packed in small places.

Yet another object of my invention is to construct an outside power device wherein an internal combustion motor is employed as the prime mover for the device.

Still another object 01' the invention is the provision or a novel friction clutch which is associated with a gasoline engine and is employed to drive a power take oi! shaft.

Yet still another object of the invention is the association with a carriage having a gasoline motor mounted thereon, the motor being provided with a drive mechanism, of remote control means for varying the speed of the engine and hence the torque of the motor and the drive mechanism I r A further object oi. my invention is to provide a novel drive shaft coupled with a reduction gearing mechanism, the same being adapted to be connected'to the power source.

- A'still further object of the invention is to comblue with a gasoline motor, a flexible shaft adapted to drive a reduction gearing mechanism and drive shaft, the flexible shaft being connected to an autunati'c iriction clutch driven by the motor.

means bdng' also provided for varying the speed of the motor and hence the torque produced throughout the entire drive.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a gear reduction mechanism, adapted to be used with a power machine, of such design that its drive shaft may be driven either right or left handed.

With these and other objects in view; which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary 'elements comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Briefly the invention comprehends a portable power machine and discloses as one manner of efiectively comprehending the same, a portable carriage, either with or without a pneumatic wheel mounting, having secured thereto a gasoline engine which is adapted to drive through a the torque produced by the finally driven shaft of the reduction gear mechanism may be slowly raised from zero, or substantially so, to the maximum torque that the machine will produce. Further the invention includes novel means for allowing the final drive shaft to be driven either left or right handed. In addition the invention comprehends an outside power device which is of small sizeand relatively light weight and also is so constructed that it maybe readily disassembled so as to be packed in small places for transportation purposes.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings, means for carrying thesame into practical effect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which for the pe of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of the invention. a

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows another form of carriage mounting for the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detailed partial sectional elevation of the means employed for mounting the prime mover on the carriages shown in Figures 1 through 3.

Figure 5 shows a broken away view in partial section of the reduction gear spindle, the driving connection for the machine being energized by the device of this invention and the remote control means employed to vary the speed of the motor.

Figure e is a side elevation of the clutch driven by the prime mover.

Figure 7 is a view sr to Figure d but shows in detailed section the clutch construction.

Figure 8 is a section through the clutch taken onthe line 38 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a detail of a Emir employed with the ru: 1 at reference In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown one form of the device wherein a mono cycle carriage is employed as a mounting for a prime mover 2, the latter being disclosed as an internal combustion engine. Engine 2 is so mounted on the carriage as to be freely rotatable about a vertical axis, which swivel construction will be later described. Driven by the motor 2 is a friction clutch 3 which is connected. to a flexible drive shaft 4 adapted to drive through a reduction gearing mechanism 5 a driving shaft 5 which is provided with means for starting a separate power unit, the latter being for example another internal combustion engine, or some starting device for the same.

The carriage i consists of tubular members I and 8, each having the horizontal portion 9 and the bent upextensions l0 and II, the extensions Ml being connected to a bearing l2 adapted to support an axle on which is mounted the wheel l3 having thereon a low pressure balloon tire l4. Extensions H are formed into handles l5 so that the device may be pushed or pulled over the ground. As may be noted in Figure 2 the tubular members i and t are held in fixed spaced apart relation by means of a tie plate or cross member I 6, the same being provided with downward extensions which are formed into legs or supports I! which support the machine in conjunction. with the tire and wheel when the apparatus is at rest on the ground. The cross piece 16 is secured to the tubular members I and 8 in any suitable manner as for example by welding. To be noted is the fact that by the construction expedient just described a substantially rectangular base portion is formed on the carriage between the ends of the horizontal portions 9 upon which may be secured a motor mounting plate IS, the latter being-provided with sides is which engage the tubular members with a sliding friction fit or which may be, permanently secured to the same as by welding. In addition the cross plate It is so constructed that a tool tray 20 may be formed integrally therewith or may be separately secured thereto as may be desired.

The construction of the carriage as just described allows the motor to be mounted thereon so that it may be rotated about a vertical axis through 360 arcuate degrees. This permits the machine to be quickly and readily operated, even in small spaces, since without refined adjustment of the position of the carriage supporting the motor and the power take ofi mechanism, the

latter may be readily connected to the device to be driven. In order to accomplish this the base of the motor has attached thereto, by means of bolts 2|], a swivel plate 22 which is formed with a king pin or swivel bolt 23. This latter extends, as may be observed in Figure 4, through a support or filler plate 24% secured to the engine sup port plate it in any suitable manner, as for example by the bolts 25. The swivel bolt 23 also extends through a bushing or bearing 26 sepower machine has been shown as a one cylinder air cooled internal combustion motor of conventional type and it has been found that such a motor capable of developing two horse power and a maximum speed of about 4000 R. P. M.

works very satisfactorily. Of course a motor possessing either a greater or lesser horse power and speed may be employed if desired. As shown the motor consists of the cylinder 26, fly wheel 29 encircled by the housing 36 which permanently supports a geared hand crank 3| employed for starting the motor. The motor is supplied with a suitable fly wheel magneto, mechanical 'governor and a carburetor (which to simplify the drawings have not been shown) and also a gasoline strainer 32, gas tank 33 and exhaust 34.

For the purpose of driving the drive shaft associated with the reduction gear mechanism, the prime mover 2 is provided with an automatic friction slip clutch which positively engages the drive for the power take off means, but only effects such engagement at predetermined engine speeds while at starting and idling speeds the power take oil drive is not engaged, such engagement being gradually eifected due to the slipping action, of the clutch as the motor is speeded up with the consequent result that the speed of the take of! mechanism and also the torque developed thereby is slowly brought up to full load. This clutch, which is shown indetail in Figures 6 through 9, is connected to the drive shaft 35 of the prime mover 2. A clutch bracket 36, secured by bolts 31 to the cylinder wall supports a bearing 33 for the motor drive shaft and also a clutch casing or covering 39. Drive shaft 35 has keyed'thereto a clutch hub 40, which latter has pins 4| secured to the face thereof, friction shoes 42 being mounted on the pins. These friction shoes due to their construction and mounting will be thrown outwardly, as shown in Figure 8, as the result of centrifugal force on the actuation of the motor and the consequent rotation of the clutch hub, the quickness and extent of the friction shoe movement being limited as desired by the springs 43.

As the driven member of the clutch, there is.

threaded and is engaged by the externally threaded stub shaft 41, while the inner end of the housing is provided with an internal bushing 48.

The bushing 43 fits over the end of the engine drive shaft 35 and allows the shaft to turn freely therein. Stub shaft 41 extends through the bearing support 43, carried by the casing 39,

and the ballbearing 50. The end of the stub shaft is enlarged and is internally threaded to receive a coupling member attached to the flexible drive shaft 4 which causes the actuation of the reduction gear spindle and its associated drive. For the purpose of holding the ball bearing 50 within its seat, the outside of. the bear ing support is threaded to receive a fastening member or adapter 5| provided with the external threads 52 which are engaged by a coupling member of conventional form connected to the flexible drive shaft covering so that this shaft and covering may be securely connected to the clutch. Bearing support 46 is provided with a suitable grease fitting 63 and felt washer 64, the latter adapted to prevent grease seepage from the bearing.

To facilitate the frictional engagement of the shoes with the hub of the clutch housing, the

latter is provided with a friction brake lining II, although if desired the same may be secured to the shoes 42. From the showing of the device as so far described, it is obvious that on the starting of the motor and while the same is idling the clutch housing and its shaft 41 will not be driven. However, as the motor is speeded up the brake shoes .42 are thrown outwardly, due to centrifugal force-and engage the hub of the clutch housing so that the'same is driven. The initial engagement of the shoes provides a slipping engagement between them and the clutch housing, which as the speedof the motor is increased gradually reaches a positive engagement so that the clutch housing is rotating at a speed equal to that of the motor drive shaft. On a further increase of motor speed the clutch housing and its stub shaft 41 are equally speeded up while on the slowing down of the motor, the process just described is reversed.

If desired instead of the'automatic friction drive for the clutch housing, a positive drive which engages the housing to the hub may be employed. Such a drive consists of the locking pin 56 provided 'with the knurled head 51, the locking pin being shown in detail in Figure 9. This locking pin 58 is mounted within a recess formed within the hub of the clutch and is adapted to engage the latter to the clutch housing which is provided with a corresponding recess adapted to receive the locking pin. Lock member 56, which is of a cylindrical shape, is formed with locking grooves 56 and 59 and with a guide groove 60. The former are used in conjunction with a spring pressed ball 6| placed within a recess 62 formed within the clutch hub and held against the engaged locking groove by reason of the spring 63 mounted within the recess and held therein by reason of the set screw 64. Also provided within the clutch hub is another recess 65, thesame having a pin member 66 threaded therein, the pin of the member engaging the guide groove 60 so as to prevent rotation of the lock 56. In the position shown in Figure 9 the locking member 56 is out of engage be manually moved into and out of engagement with the clutch housing. The mechanism Just described provides a means for locking the driving and the driven members of the clutch to-' gether, which means if desired may be employed instead of the automatic friction drive for the clutch housing.

As already described the drivenshaft 41 of the clutch has connected thereto a flexible shaft 4 which may be made of piano wire, wound solid to center to an outside diameter of about one half an inch and which may be covered with a weatherproof housing of rubber and canvas, the housing being lined with a steel coiled bearing for the shaft itself. The end of the shaft 4 is provided with a conventional coupling member adapted to be secured to the end of the shaft 41 and a fitting connected to the flexible shaft housing and adapted to be secured to the adapter 5|. For thegsake of simplifying the drawings,

the coupling and fitting last mentioned have not been shown.

As already pointed'out, the flexible shaft 4 is connected to a reduction gear mechanism which drives the driving shaft 6. The flexible drive shaft, which is usually of a seven foot length, although if desired it may be made longer, passes into the housing of the mechanism 5 and is con nected to ashaft TI supported within the housing and employed for rotating the gearing therein. The housing of the mechanism 5 is between three and four feet long, although as in the case of the flexible shaft it may be either longer or shorter, and consists of the tubular member 61 to which is engaged the member 81a, which latter is provided with an adapter 58 onto which is screwed the bearing support 69. Within the bearing support 69 is mounted a ball bearing it for the-flexible drive shaft, there also being an extension Ii formed on the member 5111 which assists in supporting the flexible shaft. In addition the mechanism 5 includes the tubular member 12, one end of which is'engaged to the bearing support 69 and the other end of which is secured to a coupling member 13 carried by another bearing support It, the latter housing ball bearings and It for the shaft gear '11. To the threaded end of the gear shaft i1 is engaged a coupling member it, to which is connected, by means of the spline 19, the flexible shaft d. Between the bearings 15 and It is a bushing Ila around the shaft 'Il. Bushing Ila assists in holding the bearings I5 and IS in their seats.

The support it is internally screw threaded at one end so that it may be engaged by the coupling member 13, while at its other end, the bearing support is externally screw threaded and is engaged by the reduction gear housing 88. A

collar at is provided on the bearing support to facilitate the connecting of the support with the other parts associated therewith and also a set screw 82 is provided in the wall of the gear housing so in order to hold the bearing support in firm connection therewith.

The gear housing til hasbearing supports 83 threaded therein, the same being pted to carry the ball bearings 86 provided on the shaft 85 for its support. Shaft 85 has fixedly secured thereto a bevel gear at and spur gear @l, the former being driven by the gear 88 on the end of the shaft ll. To drive the stub. shaft 5. the upper part of the gear housing, as seen in Figure 5, has mounted therein a shaft to at right angles to the shaft l1 driven by the shaft 6 connected to the clutch. Shaft 89 is formed with an. enlargement into which is screwed a" shaft 9t, both shafts 89 and @B being supported in bear ings Qua carried within the gear housing. Secured to the shaft M is a gear-ti which meshes with the gear 87 on the shaft d5.

' Shafts at and 9d are enlarged on both sides of the gear housing, as indicated by the enlargement 92 for the shaft ea- Each enlarged portion is externally screw threaded and is adapted to be engaged by the coupling member 93 which encircles and carries the stub gaged by the closure cap I88. as may be noted each enlarged portion 82 is formed with a chan nel 8d and is internally threaded as indicated at 85, being adapted to respectively receive the enlargement 95 on the shaft 63 as; the threaded end of the shaft. Drive 2? d is also provided with pins 81 adapted to engage a bayonet Join lever M6. the collar N15, is secured to a cable or Bowden' ted.

hollow shaft 98 connected to the device 99 to be driven by the power machine so far described.

As already pointed out, the ends of the shafts 89 and 90, outside of the gear housing, are formed with a similar construction. This permits the coupling 93 and. shaftt to be connected to either the right or left side of the reduction gear mechanism with the obvious resultthat the shaft ,6 may be driven either right or left handed, as desired, depending on which side or to which shaft 89 or 90 the coupling 93 is secured. To keep out dust, a cap H10 already mentioned, is provided to cover the side of the drive shaft 6 which is not connected to the driven shaft 98.

The gear housing is extended above the shaft 89 and shaft 96 so as to form a recess for the gear 9! and also a means for allowing the gears within the housing to be lubricated. This latter consists of the extension lfli which is threaded to receive the plug I02 which may be readily removed in order that the mechanism in the housing may be properly lubricated.

A cup I03, mounted on the wheel bearing, and a clip I04 secured to the motor afford means for supporting the spindle 5 and flexible shaft 6 when the machine is not in operation. These means are clearly shown in Figure 1 wherein the machine is shown ready for transportation over the ground.

The member 61 of the spindle has a collar Hi5 secured thereto at the end of the reduction gear housing adjacent the flexible shaft. This collar, which affords a means for securing the covering of the flexible shaft to the housing, has an arm i or pivoted thereto, to which is connected a hand Hand lever I08, which is pivoted to wire I08 which is provided with a suitable weather proof covering. By any suitable means the cable we is held adjacent to the flexible shaft in order to prevent itobstruct ing the operation' of the motor. The other end of the link i i2 is connected to an arm H3 adapted to controlthe adjusting spring of a conventionalmechanical governor, the latter not being shown in the drawings. The mechanical governor is in turn connected to the carburetor so that the amount of fuel fed to the motor may be regulated. In this manner the speed of the motor maybe varied at will on the manipulation of the hand throttle, it being "possible through the means disclosed to'gradually and evenly increase or decrease the motor speed.

For the purpose of explaining the operation of the machine heretofore described, the manner in carriage is underslung and has a low center of gravity, it is evident that a firm support is providedfor the machine when at rest and also that .the vibrations of theoperating motor will not tip over the device. e

The machine being roughly positioned adjacent to the device to be started or energized, the motor 2 is cranked by means of the hand crank 3| so as to cause its actuation. Since on starting and idling speeds the flexible shaftis not engaged to the clutch, it is unnecessary to remove the gear housing from its transportation and rest position shown in Figure 1. After the motor 2 is operating. the housing is lifted from the machine and the drive shaft 6 with its engaging pins 61 is inserted in the bayonet joint of the coupling shaft 98, which latter is adapted to drive the inertia starter or other device of motor 09. As is well known, the outside connection for driving an inertia starter on an airplane is some feet ofl of the ground. Due to the length of the flexible shaft 4 and the reduction gear mechanism 5 it will be appreciated that this may be easily reached. Also since the motor 2 is mounted on a swivel, the machine may be roughly placed with respect to the aircraft to be started, thus affording a considerable saving in starting time and lost efiort in positioning the machine.

For the purpose of inserting the drive shaft 6 within the bayonet jointed coupling 98, the operator grasps the gear housing in both hands in such a manner that the fingers or a thumb of one hand engage the control lever I06, while the other hand holds the upper part thereof. In this manner the housing and the flexible shaft attached thereto may be removed from its support on the motor and the housing may be raised or otherwise shifted so as to engage a coupling on a shaft which is to be driven.

' The motor 2 having been started and the drive shaft having been engaged with the coupling 96, the operator presses on the control lever so as to move the cable I08 and increase the speed of the motor. As the hand lever I06 is slowly depressed the motor is slowly and gradually speeded up with the result that the shoes 42 are thrown outwardly, due to centrifugal force, and at first grip the clutch housing in a slipping engagement. This results in a slow driving of the flexible shaft and also of the shaft 6. On the increase of the motor speed, the shoes gradually increase their gripping action until the clutch housing is positively engaged by them and the flexible shaft is rotating at a speed equal to that of the motor shaft 35; On a further-depression of the hand lever I06, the motor, flexible shaft and drive shaft are slowly brought up to their maximum speed and also their maximum torque. When the inertia starter or other device has been rotated at a speed and for a time suflicient to store enough energy in the device to crank the airplane motor, the motor 2 is slowed down slightly so that the operator'on pulling outwardly on the mechanism 5 may release the drive shaft from its engagement with the coupling member 96. The inertia starter being now up to speed, may be connected with the airplane motor so as to crank the latter.

My machine having been successfully employed, it may be rolled to another airplane and the same starting process gone through with. Thus it will be realized that my machine may be employed for starting a squadron of airplanes and that this may be accomplished by a single operator for the machine After starting a plane or planes, the machine may be returned to its storage position or it may be dismantled and packed in an airplane for transportation.

When the airplane carrying the starting machine arrives at its destination, the machine is unloaded and assembled so that it may be used for starting the airplane or the squadron of airplanes when the particular plane or squadron is ready for flight. The advantage of this device becomes obvious when it is considered that it is so constructed that it may be readily transported and that it may be the means for starting one or more airplanes. Another advantage resides in the fact that the machineshown in Figures 1 and 2 is of a relatively light weight, weighing only 165 pounds, so that there is no heavy increase of the load carried by the airplane which transports the machine.

To dismantle or disassemble the machine, the flexible shaft 4 has its couplings unscrewed from the shaft 41 and adapter 5|. After this the member I3 is disengaged from the meml'. 14. This permits the flexible shaft and the lower part of the spindle 6 to be separated from the motor and from the upper part of the spindle which carries the gear housing and the power take off shaft 6. The wing nut 21 is then removed from the end of the motor spindle 23 and the motor is then lifted of! its carriage. Thus the machine may be readily knocked down for transportation and it will be realized that this procedure may be reversed with equal speed and facility so that the machine may be assembled for operating pur-. poses.

I have found that with a two horse power motor a reduction gearing, such as that shown and composed of one bevel gear reduction and one spur gear reduction, works very satisfactorily, the actual reduction being in thirty to one ratio. With such gearing when the motor is working at full speed and under full load approximately 150 foot pounds of torque are transmitted by the coupling 96.

One extremely important feature of the invention resides in the fact that the control cable is connected to the automatic governor which in turn actuates the motor carburetor. The operation of the cable regulates the governor setting and hence the quantity of fuel injected into the motor at any one instant, an attendant regulation of the motor speed being attained. This expedient gives a smoothness of control permitting a. gradual and smooth increase of motor speed which is not attainable if the carburetor were directly actuated from the control lever I 06. As is well known the average human hand is not very sensitive so that if the control cable operated by the hand lever I06 were directlyconnected to the carburetor, the increase and decrease in the motor speed would not be gradual and smooth on the depression of the hand lever, but would be sudden and jerky. It is desired to eliminate such operation and it is for this reason that the mechanical governor is employed. In addition the housing has a hand rest 4 which is adapted to assist the operator in slowly and gradually depressing and releasing the hand lever I06. Suitable springs may be connected to the hand lever and to the link H2 so that the remote control is normally maintained in a position which allows the motor to run at idling speed.

Along with the control of the motor speed through a mechanical governor it should be noted tial torque of the drive shaft 6 due to its initial rotation is substantially zero and that this torque is raised to a maximum on increasing the motorspeed. Such action is desired since the device 99 will be started smoothly and with a lack of sudden shock or jar on the gears or other parts of the mechanism being driven.

In this respect the action of my machine may well be likened to the hand cranking of the starter or other mechanism 9Q. This analogy is obvious when it is considered that on the first rotation of a hand crank, substantially zero torque is developed to rotate the coupling 98 but as this hand cranking is continued the speed and also the torque applied to the shaft coupling will increase with the result that the latter and hence the device 99 is rotated faster and faster. However, it should be noted that this bringing of the member 98 up to its maximum speed obtainable by hand cranking is a gradual process and is one in which the torque to turn the same is gradually and not suddenly applied so that the device 9% is actuated at an even increasing acceleration and no shocks are imparted to it due to sudden increases in speed and torque of the driving. con nection. While the actuation of my machine has just been stated to be similar to hand cranking of the device 99 it will be well understood that the driving connection for the device to be actuated may be turned much faster, due to the power of the motor and also due to the reduction gearing,

than is possible by manual manipulation of a crank.

Another feature of the machine resides in the fact that the drive shaft 6 may be driven either right or' left handed. From an inspection of Figure 5 it may be observed that while the shafts 89 and 90 are driven in the same direction connection with one or the other will give a drive in opposite directions, and also that the shaft 6 and its coupling 93 may be quickly detached from the enlarged end of either shaft 89 or 9B and may be coupled to the opposite shaft. Through such means the mechanism may be transformedv may be dispensed with and the shaft 6 may be continuously and positively driven. This is accomplished by pushing inwardly on the locking pin 56 so that it engages the clutch housing and secures this part of the clutch to the clutch hub. To release the locked parts of the clutch, the pin 56 is pulled outwardly.

Where a lighter machine is desired, one having a weight of about 115 pounds may be constructed by using the motor mounting shown in Figure 3. This mounting consists of the rectangular frame having side pieces lid and end pieces H6, these members being formed of metal tubing. The sides H5 are strengthened by cross ties ill, the ends of the latter bent downwardly, thence horizontally and thence upwardly and are secured to the under surface of the cross ties. In this manner ground supports H8 are provided for the motor moun. .,Cross ties ii? maybe secured to the frame by any suitable means, as for example by welding. In addition a tool tray 9 I9 is similarly secured to the motor mounti frame.

To mount the motor 2, a plate lfili is welded I or otherwise secured to the side members of the motor support frame.

the motor spindle 28 is adapted to extend. The

This plateis provided .with an opening l2! through which the end of 21 in a manner like that already described in connection with Figures 1, 2, and 4.

The motor, clutch, flexible shaft, reduction gear mechanism and drive shaft employed with the mounting shown in Figure 3, are in all respects identical to those devices described in connection with the preceding figures of the drawings. In carrying the same the reduction gear mechanism may be placed along the carriage-adjacent to the motor during carrying, or the motor may be provided with a clip I04 and a cup, similar to the cup I03, may be secured to the motor mount. Through the last mentioned means, the reduction gear housing and flexible shaft may be supported in non-working position in a manner like that disclosed in conection with Figure 1.

While I have disclosed the operation of the machine in connection with the energizing of a starting device for a motor it will be realized that my machine may be utilized to start a motor directly. This may be accomplished by merely connecting drive shaft 6 to the crank shaft connection or other means for rotating the motor to be started. Further it will be realized that my ma.- chine need not be used solely to start a motor, but may be employed to drive any rotatable shaft on any type of mechanism.

For example the powermachine may be employed for actuating'devices used for the purpose of nut setting, drilling, screwing and driving.

Whether the power machine is used for one of the above mentioned purposes or for energizing an inertia starter, a very important fact resides in the slipping of the clutch when the torque load on the drive shaft 6 and the gear mechanism becomes great enough to normally break the flexible shaft and stall the motor of the power machine. To overcome this the slipping action of the clutch is again utilized. Under conditions such as those just described the power source merely slows down and due to the slipping of the clutch continues operation without breakage to the power machine and its parts or to the device being driven by the power machine. Moreover, the flexible shaft aids in preventing shocks to the power machine and the mechanism driven thereby when this situation occurs. This feature of the power machine clutch, which clutch might be ter ed double acting inasmuch as it slips until the p wer source 2 is brought up to a predetermined speed and also slips if the torque load becomes too great, permits the power machine to remain connected to an inertia starter even when the clutch of the inertia starter is connected toa motor crank shaft and where the power source of the power machine does not develop sumcient power to turn the crank shaft of the engine being energized. Of course the importance and advantage of this expedient is obvious when considered in connection with such similar operations, for example, as driving, screwing, out settins and drilling.

In tion it will be appreciated that I have devised a power machine of simplified design in which a power source throimh a novel-automatic clutch and a flexible shaft is connected to a gear 1 geduction mechanism having a drive t adapt- "ed to drive many and varied types of mechanism, the power machine being of a portable nature.

While I have shown-and described the pre-' ferred embodiment of my invention, 1 mt. it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of, construction herein set forth, by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A power machine comprising a carriage having a power source mounted thereon, means for connecting said power source to a flexibledrive shaft so that the flexible drive shaft may have its rotational speed slowly and evenly in-- creased from-zero at'idling speed of the power source to a maximum on the raising of the power source to its maximum speed, a reduction gear housing having a system of reduction gearing, a stub shaft having a clutch element at its free end, said shaft supported by the housing and driven by said gearing system, said gearing system being operatively connected to said flexible shaft so that it maybe driven thereby, a rigid handle on'said housing, and means on said handle connected to said power source for slowly and evenly v rying the speed developed by the power source.

2. A power machine comprising a carriage having a power source mounted thereon, a friction slip clutch consisting of a driving mem-" ber and a driven member, the former being connected to said power source, means for rotating the driven member of ;the clutch only at speeds in excess of the idling speed of the power source, said means being such'that the speed of rotation of the driven member is gradually and evenly raised from zero to a rotational speed equal to that of the driving member .of said clutch, a reductiongear housing containing a system of reduction gear n a stub shaft having a clutch element at its free end driven thereby, said shaft supported by the housing and driven by said gearing system, said gearing system being operatively connected to a flexible drive shaft secured to said driven clutch member, a rigid handle on said housing, and means on said handle connected to.said power source for slowly and evenly varying the speed developed by the power source. i v

3. A power machine comprising a carriage having a power source mounted thereon, means for connecting said power source to a flexible drive shaft so that the flexible drive shaft may housing having a system of reduction gearing,

a-stub shaft having a work engaging end, said shaft supported by the housing and driven by the gearing system, detachable means for con-' necting said stub shaft to said gearing so that said shaft may be driven in a clock or in a counterclockwise direction, said gearing ystem being operatively connected to said flexible shaft so that it may be driventhereby, arigid handle on said housing. and means on said handle connected to said power source for slowly and evenly varying the speed developed by the power source.

4. A power machine comprising a carriage having a power source mounted thereon, a flexible drive shaft associated therewith, means for connecting said power source to said flexible drive shaft so arranged that the flexible drive shaft may have its rotational speed slowly and evenly increased from zero at idling speed of the power source to a maximum on the raising of the power source to its maximum speed, a reduction gear housing of tubular construction and of a length allowing manual manipulation, a handle thereon, said housing including a system'of reduction gearing, said reduction gearing. including a drive shaft, a stub shaft having a clutch element at its free end, means for detachably connecting the stub shaft to said drive shaft so that said stub shaft may be rotated in a clock or counterclockwise direction, means connecting said-reduction gearing to said flexible shaft, a speed governor for said power source, and a manually operated lever mounted on the handle portion of said tubular housing for actuating said speed governor for slowly and evenly varying the speed developed by the power source, said lever being operatively connected to said speed governor.

5. A. unitary starter assembly comprising in combination, an internal combustion engine with a drive shaft, engaging means arranged for connection to a mechanism to be started, means connecting said eng ging means with said drive shaft to be driven thereby, including a clutch arranged to establish and gradually increase its connecting effect as the engine speed increases above idling speed, and a speed control for said engine associated with the second said means.

6. A unitary starter assembly comprising in combination, a portable carriage, an internal combustion engine thereon including a drive shaft, a flexible shaft, a slip clutch between said shafts, operable to establish and gradually increase a connection between said shafts when the engine rises above idling speed, handle means associated with said flexible shaft, a coupling shaft driven by said flexible shaft, and an engine speed control on said handle means.

7. A unitary starter assembly comprising in combination, a portable carriage, an internal combustion engine thereon including a drive shaft, a flexible shaft, a slip clutch between said shafts, operable to establish and gradually increase a connection between said shafts when the engine rises above idling speed, handle means associated with said flexible shaft, a housing at one end thereof, a reduction gearing in said housing. 'a pair of shafts driven by said flexible shaft through said reduction gearing, and a coupling member selectively connectible to either one of said pair of shafts whereby a clockwise or sa'rnrm. w. sulmi 

